Report
Two leading Indian Universities (Jaipur National University and Xavier University Bhubaneswar) conferred honorary doctorate upon President Ikeda on successive days last week in recognition of his profound contribution to Peace Building and Sustainability.
Jaipur National University (ranked 19th amongst the country’s private universities) conferred Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy upon President Daisaku Ikeda on 21st November 2019 at Dr Ambedkar International Center. Dr. Preeti Bakshi, Executive Director, Jaipur National University and Prof. H.N. Verma VC, Jaipur National University presented the doctorate and citation. This is the first time that the University conferred an Honorary Degree in its history.
Jaipur National University Conferred Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy
On Friday, 22nd November 2019, President Ikeda was conferred an honorary doctorate in Sustainability Management by the Xavier School of Sustainability, Bhubaneswar at the 5th Annual Sustainability Summit. This is the first time Sensei has received a doctorate in Sustainability Management and the first Honorary doctorate given by the University to an overseas recipient. The Doctoral Ceremony presentation was conducted by Fr. Antony R. Uvari, Vice Chancellor, and Fr. Augustine, Registrar at the Xavier University Bhubaneswar.
At both Delhi and at Bhubaneswar, Mr. Hiromasa Ikeda, Senior Vice President of Soka Gakkai, received the honorary doctorate on behalf of President Ikeda and read out his acceptance speech. Expressing his gratitude to Jaipur National University President Ikeda said, “Jaipur National University embraces the ideal of student-centered learning and upholds the highest standards of scholarly rigor and commitment as well as the passion to pursue learning over the course of a lifetime”. In a similar vein, President Ikeda praised the spirit of magis (“greater” or “more” in Latin) upheld by Xavier University Bhubaneswar and lauded the spirit demonstrated by this institution’s continuous progress and development, overcoming one challenge after another to produce a surging wave of pioneers of intellect.
Xavier University Bhubaneswar Conferred Honorary Doctorate in Sustainability Management
At the ceremony in Delhi, Prof. H.N. Verma introduced the message of the Chancellor, Jaipur National University, Dr. Sandeep Bakshi, in which Dr. Bakshi talked about Ikeda’s path-breaking peace initiatives. “Ikeda’s vision encompasses borderless Buddhist humanism that emphasizes free thinking and personal development based on respect for all forms of life.” He further added, “I am somebody who believes that until your mission becomes your obsession, your gifts will not become your glory. Ikeda’s presence is a reminder to all of us that real leaders never negotiate their standards,” he added. “It is a reminder of the potential to do such extraordinary work that the world can’t take its eyes off you.”
At the ceremony in Bhubaneswar, Dr. Fr. Uvari referred to President Ikeda as a “Prince of Peace”. He went on to say, “What a privilege this day is for all of us gathered here to witness and celebrate the confluence of peacebuilders in a place that witnessed the conversion of a warrior to a messenger of peace. I can very proudly say that our journey has reached an important milestone today as we are conferring the honorary doctorate on Daisaku Ikeda in Sustainable Management.”
With the addition of these 2 honors, President Ikeda has received 18 doctorates from India. 3 of these have been conferred in less than 2 months.
The ceremony in New Delhi was attended by over 500 members, guests and media. The audience included several eminent educators, government officials, artists, lawyers etc. The conferral in Bhubaneswar was attended by over 150 people which included faculty and students of XUB and several industry leaders and BSG members in attendance.
The symposium was widely covered by media.